Long ago on independence square (Kansas City, Columbia: home builders, tax credit, builders)

[WCHS'59]

Here is a photo of the Byam Theater. The marquee entrance was a couple doors east of Jerry's Restaurant, but the auditorium was located behind the drug store with exits off Ash Avenue.

[WCHS'59]

Here is a photo of the Byam Theater auditorium that was entered off Independence Ave close to Jerry's Restaurant. One exit door is still there while the other has been bricked up. To the left is the parking lot.

The store on the corner is the old Rexall Drug Store. Across the street at the double doors is the location of Charlie's United Super owned by the Cook Brothers. Later they moved further east and occupied the old A&P. One of the brothers passed on just a few years ago and the other one appears to be still living.

[CaseyMO]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Chuckle--senior moment, I seem to be getting more and more of those. The drug store, movie theater, and Jerry's was on the south side rather than north side.

I really preferred Roy's Cafe over Jerry's. Not sure why.

I have foggybrainitus. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. Was the drug store at the first corner to the east of Jerry's? I don't recall the theater at all.

[WCHS'59]

Yes, it was on the first corner east of Jerry's at Ash and Independence Ave.

I am going to say the Byam closed in 1960.

[WCHS'59]

Here is a cut and paste from one of my older posts concerning the theater.


Designer and builder: F. L. Byam who owned the drug store.

Cost: $70,000 for building, equipment, and furnishing.

Actual theater owner: Reube Finkelstein, who owned the Belmont Theater on St. John Street about four miles east (make it west) in Kansas City.

Seating: 730 seats. First nine rows were wood intended for kids. The rest of the seating was upholstered in red fabric and the wood walnut finished.

Year built: 1937

Size of auditorium: 50 x 150 feet.

Stage: 28 feet wide by 14 feet tall.

Curtain: gold colored velvet with royal blue valance.

Basement: 25 x 50 feet holding the air conditioning and heating equipment.

Projection room: 25 x 10 feet.

[CaseyMO]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

I am going to say the Byam closed in 1960.

Interesting, as I went to Dr. Hink through the entire 1950s. The entrance to his building must have been within a door or two of the theater, but I have no recollection of the theater. Weird!

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by Mad Anthonie

It is time for y'all to catch up on your reading. Here is an excerpt from the 1889 Independence City Directory.

The street listing says "Crane Avenue" from Simpson to Mechanic.

I grew up two blocks from Crane on the east side and I never did see no avenue. What I saw was chip and seal rough road. Nor did it go any further north than Walnut.

There is a Mechanic further north, south of 24. There is also a Simpson but it is in the west part of town north of Truman.

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Here is a cut and paste from one of my older posts concerning the theater.


Designer and builder: F. L. Byam who owned the drug store.

Cost: $70,000 for building, equipment, and furnishing.

Actual theater owner: Reube Finkelstein, who owned the Belmont Theater on St. John Street about four miles east (make it west) in Kansas City.

Seating: 730 seats. First nine rows were wood intended for kids. The rest of the seating was upholstered in red fabric and the wood walnut finished.

Year built: 1937

Size of auditorium: 50 x 150 feet.

Stage: 28 feet wide by 14 feet tall.

Curtain: gold colored velvet with royal blue valance.

Basement: 25 x 50 feet holding the air conditioning and heating equipment.

Projection room: 25 x 10 feet.

I don't remember the Byam either. My Dad ushered at The Belmont (he grew up in NE KC) prior to serving in WWII.

[WCHS'59]

The Fairmount Community Center opened on South Ash in 1999 after the conversion of the old Byam Theater. The building – after a change of ownership, Adams-Leavitt said – lacked basic repairs and was deteriorating rapidly.
Above is from an Examiner article.


The Byam Marquee was at 10223 E Independence Ave and Jerry's was at 10219 E Independence Ave.

[WCHS'59]

The Byam did not advertise in the Examiner but did in the Inter City News.